Disposal

Weir Group PLC
22 December 2000



THE WEIR GROUP PLC: SALE OF DARCHEM ENGINEERING LIMITED

On 21 December 2000 The Weir Group PLC ('Weir') sold its wholly-owned subsidiary
Darchem Engineering ('Darchem') to a newly-formed company which is majority
owned by  Royal  Bank  Private Equity, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Royal 
Bank  of Scotland Group plc.

Darchem  is  a  specialised  engineering  business  providing  heat  and   fire
protection  systems and services for the aerospace, nuclear  and  petrochemical
industries. Darchem employs nearly 800 people, principally on Teesside.

The  proceeds realised by Weir amount to £28m. This comprises £18m for the share
capital  of Darchem, £3m received under certain contractual commitments entered
into by Weir and £7m of indebtedness assumed by the purchaser. The consideration
is subject to adjustment following preparation of completion accounts.

At  30  September 2000, Darchem had net assets of £13.3m and recorded a  profit
before  tax and before Weir Group charges and credits of £2.6m in the nine-month
period  to 30 September 2000, based on unaudited management accounts.  Prior  to
disposal,  Darchem's  net  assets were reduced by payment  to  Weir  of  a  pre-
completion dividend of £5.2m.

In  the  year to 31 December 1999 Darchem's audited profit before tax  was  £6m
(£5.5m before Weir Group charges and credits).

David Dunbar, Chief Operating Officer of Weir, said the sale is consistent  with
Weir's  strategic direction and added: 'This disposal reflects our determination
to  focus our business. The proceeds will put us in a position to take advantage
of emerging opportunities in our core activities'.

Enquiries:

Emrys Inker, Public Relations Manager, The Weir Group PLC
Tel: [phone] OR 0141 637 7111